The basin is circular and flat-based, with rounded, rising sides tapering in and with broad flat spreading rim with ribbed edge.
Formally arranged designs incised and filled in with polychrome lacquers are disposed over the bottom on a ground painted with cell diaper in red, yellow and black, after the style of inlaid lacquers of the Ming period: they comprise four bats alternating with swastikas surrounding a central circular medallion of archaic scrollwork, and further pendants beyond of musical stones and pairs of fish, with peaches resting on cloud scrolls between. At the edge, a ''classical scroll'' border is incised and gilt on black. Round the well are numerous bats flying amongst clouds, incised, polychromed and gilt; and round the rim are four shaped panels with floral scrollwork and bats, reserved on a key-diaper ground in yellow. The underside of the rim and the sides are decorated with bats and swastikas among clouds and with cranes among clouds respectively.